Servant of the Word: Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

“St Peter Enthroned with Saints” by Cima da Conegliano, 1495-97

Readings for the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter[1]

Commentary:

Commentary on 1 Pt 5:1-4

St. Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, writes to those who have been appointed to lead local Christian communities. He provides a view of leadership consistent with Christ’s teaching and contradicting the Jewish leadership style which was authoritarian. He exhorts the Presbyters or Elders to offer their service as a gift to God and provide leadership through their example of humility.

CCC: 1 Pt 5:3 893, 1551; 1 Pt 5:4 754

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Commentary on Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar songs in the entire psalter. “God's loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Psalm 23:1-4) and a host's generosity toward a guest (Psalm 23:5-6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Isaiah 40:11; 49:10; Jeremiah 31:10).”[4] While the theme of Shepherd is mentioned in the first strophe, the psalm really speaks to the peace given to those who follow the Lord and place their trust in Him, even into the “dark valley.”

The reference in the third strophe above: “'You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes' occurs in an exodus context in Psalm 78:19. As my enemies watch: my enemies see that I am God's friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Psalm 104:15; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37, 46; John 12:2).”[5]

CCC: Ps 23:5 1293

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Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

Commentary on Mt 16:13-19

St. Matthew’s story of how Jesus asked about what people were saying about him has a profound impact on the Church. Here, when challenged by Jesus with the question, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon answers, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” The second title is not present in St. Mark’s version of this encounter. The title adds an understanding that Jesus is not just the Messiah, but also the Son of God. Given this response, Jesus confers upon Simon a new name “Kephas” which comes from the root Aramaic word Kepa or “Rock.” When translated into Greek it is Petros, and from there to Peter. The name, however, becomes the foundation for the Church. As a consequence of this exchange, Peter is given Christ’s authority, an authority that is passed down through Papal Succession to the Pope who sits on the Chair of Peter today.

CCC: Mt 16-18 1969; Mt 16:16-23 440; Mt 16:16 424, 442; Mt 16:17 153, 442; Mt 16:18-19 881; Mt 16:18 424, 442, 552, 586, 869; Mt 16:19 553, 1444

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Reflection:

It is ironic that the rationale for our celebration surrounding the story of the Lord giving the “Keys of the Kingdom of God” to St. Peter should come from St. Paul. It was St. Paul who so eloquently proclaimed the understanding that we are all adopted children of God, and as such, we are all heirs to the legacy the Lord left on earth as well as a place in the Heavenly Kingdom. We are given formal access to that treasured status as Jesus passes his authority to St. Peter. The keys to the treasury are given, a treasury that is at once the deposit of faith and the responsibility that goes with it.

It is a great blessing for us, this offer of adoption through the authority passed on to St. Peter. It gives us access to the wisdom of God and the peace that comes with knowing God’s salvation is available to us. The reading from the First Letter of St. Peter points out that, with this adoption, this special status of belonging to God’s family, there are also responsibilities.

Some might say that St. Peter is addressing only his fellow presbyters, the priests and bishops of the early Church, in this letter. It might be said that we need listen only to those whose authority flows more directly from the Chair of Peter, as the pontificate is now called. But those who think so would be wrong. We are all given some share in the responsibility for leading God’s flock. We are all witnesses to the world of the love of Christ that is most eloquently proclaimed from St. Peter’s Chair. It is our inheritance to spend in the world. The keys that bind us in the form of the Magisterium are also the keys that free us, allowing us to be free from the secular chains of envy and greed.

In a sense it is like the Mark Twain story of the “Prince and the Pauper,” the two identical youths switched places and in their unfamiliar roles the boy who was now a Prince was thought to have become mentally ill and the Prince now placed in the role of beggar was likewise thought to have become deranged. They were not acting according to their birthrights. We are not merely sheep to follow blindly anyone who calls themselves shepherds. We are the part of the flock of the one true shepherd and we follow only his voice. And those who see us and know us understand that we follow that voice. It is like a brand set upon us, ashes on our foreheads that should not be washed off.

Today we rejoice in our adoption as children of God. We thank the One Shepherd for calling us and placing wise shepherds to carry on the great work that he began. We pray this day for the strength and courage to be seen as members of that flock and to be worthy to carry his brand in our hearts.

Pax

On this date in other years: Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

[1] The picture is “St Peter Enthroned with Saints” by Cima da Conegliano, 1495-97

[2] S.S. Commemoratio

[4] See NAB footnote on Psalm 23

[5] ibid